Barrier-free facilities to assist those with disabilities

The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will complete renovating barrier-free facilities and assistance devices for 8,550 households to meet the needs of their disabled members, according to the local government.

"As of early May, renovation work has been carried out for 850 families in 14 regions in Xinjiang," said Zhu Minghong, an official with the region's disabled persons' federation. "We have finished gathering information and making renovation plans for all the 8,550 families.

"The renovation work includes constructing accessibility ramps, barrier-free bathrooms and kitchens, as well as distributing accessibility supplies, which can basically solve the problems that the disabled encounter while going out, using the bathroom and being cared for," he said. "All the work is expected to be completed before July."

According to the local government, 19,931 households will receive housing renovations during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.

"By 2021, the region had invested nearly 85.8 million yuan ($12.7 million) in the project, benefiting 26,187 families with severely disabled members," said Zhu. "In 2022, around 27.6 million yuan will be put into the project."

The government is also promoting a series of policies to encourage and guide social forces, such as charitable enterprises, organizations and local residents to contribute to the project via donations, voluntary services and the establishment of funds.

Li Jiming, a 61-year-old resident in Sayibak district in the region's capital Urumqi, no longer feels anxious while using his bathroom.

The disabled senior has had difficulties walking after being affected by polio at the age of 2.

"In the past, there was only a squat-type toilet in my bathroom," he said. "It was quite difficult for me to get up and down.

"I fell on the ground in my bathroom several times and I had to use all my strength to get up because I live alone," he said. "I couldn't buy a portable toilet because of financial difficulties.

"In November 2021, Liu Hong, a staff member of the district's disabled persons' federation, visited my home and registered my information after she found out about my difficulties," he said. "On Jan 6, two workers spent several hours installing a new toilet in my bathroom and a handrail on the wall, bringing me great convenience."

Li Jiafeng, a construction worker involved in the project, said, "During the process, we paid a lot of attention to the situations of different families and made targeted plans for each of them. We considered the safety and durability when we chose the construction materials.

"For some families, we coordinated and remodeled things several times till they were satisfied," he said. "However, we just hope to try our best to bring a more convenient and friendly life to the disabled."